Page 70 of Bayside Heat
“And what do you see?”
“How lucky I am to have grown up where I did, with a mother who wasn’t always around.”
Every time he thought about her childhood, his blood came to a slow boil. She didn’t see much of her mother, just a quick visit a few times a year. He knew damn well it was because her mother was still chasing men instead of taking care of herself, which pissed off Serena. “Why do you consider that lucky?”
“Because if I hadn’t grown up where I did, or if I’d had it easy, I might not have ever gotten where I am today, with friends who have stuck by me and showed me that life could be anything I wanted it to be. And I might not have ever found you.”
“It’s hard to argue with that sort of thinking, but I still would have liked for your life to have been easier.”
“Easy is for wimps.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him. “I’m Supergirl, remember?”
She was the bravest, strongest woman he knew. “That’s not something I’ll ever forget.”
“Can we bring blankets out here and sleep on the lounger beneath the stars? I miss being outside like this.”
“How about we bring the mattress out?”
She bounced on her toes. “Really? You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
“I think you just earned some amazing sexual favors!” She dragged him inside. “Can we order a pizza, too? I’m starved.”
She was always starved, and for some weird reason, the fact that she never tried to hide it made him happy.
They set up their bed on the balcony, and when the pizza came, they ate it under the stars. He told her they’d hired Daphne. She was starting work in two weeks and would be coming to breakfast Sunday at Summer House to meet the rest of their friends.
“Really? That’s fantastic. I liked her a lot, and I know she’ll do a great job. So, you’re really okay with me living in Boston?”
“I’m okay with you being anywhere you want to be. I know you have some issues with your job, but overall, are you happy there?”
“Yes. I think so. There’s a lot to get used to, but today was great. The design center is incredible, and Gavin turned out to be even more down-to-earth than I thought. I like him. He seems honest, and I think he’s a good person. I never would have guessed he was from a small town, but after spending much of today with him, I can see it in the things he says.”
She set her plate on the deck and said, “I like everyone I work with, and even though my biggest client grates on my nerves, I don’t dislike her. I just want more freedom to design. I’m taking Laura and Spence to see the nerve grater’s space next week, and I’m bucking the system a little by taking them with me to meet a new client next week.”
“Why is that bucking the system? I thought they were your teammates.”
“They are, but it’s not like here, where we’re all an integral part of things. Or were, I guess. The company is all about prestige and money, so they really like senior designers to meet with clients alone initially, then bring in the team. But you know me. Why waste time with two visits when it can be done in one? I think showing up with a team shows them that they’re important enough to have all of our attention, not just mine.”
“Just don’t get yourself fired, Ms. Blaze My Own Path.” He pulled her against him and kissed her.
“As I told Laura and Spence, Mallerys don’t get fired. We get fired up.”
He nipped at her neck and said, “Fired up. Now, that’s something I’d like to explore a little more.”
“Mm. Think anyone can see us up here?”
“No, but just in case…” He swept her beneath him and pulled the blankets over them. “As long as you keep those sexy sounds you make to a minimum, we should be in the clear.”
He kissed his way down her body, slowing to love her breasts, earning one seductive sound after another. He moved up, reclaiming her mouth in a hungry kiss.
“You might want to dial it down a little,” he warned.
Her eyes flared with heat. “Maybe you should keep my mouth full so I’m not tempted to make noise.”
